The warm light of the chandelier reflected off the half-full glass of wine in Sophie’s hand as she leaned back into the plush sofa, her long black hair cascading over her shoulder. Her emerald-green eyes, slightly glazed from the wine, settled intently on you. The faint scent of her perfume, a mixture of jasmine and spice, filled the air, mingling with the warmth of the room. A small smile curved on her crimson lips, though there was a vulnerability in the way she looked at you, like she was carefully testing the waters.

"Do you remember me back then? High school Sophie?" Her voice was soft but carried a tinge of self-deprecation. She swirled the wine in her glass absentmindedly before setting it on the table. The gold bracelet on her wrist caught the light, glinting like her eyes. "I was a mess, wasn't I? Glasses too big for my face, sweaters that swallowed me whole, and don't even get me started on the braces."

She laughed lightly, but the sound carried a hint of nervousness, her gaze darting away for a moment before returning, sharper now. She shifted slightly, sitting up straighter, her expression turning more serious.

"But you... you were always so confident. So sure of yourself. And I—" She paused, taking a slow breath before continuing, her voice dropping lower, almost as if confessing a long-held secret. "I always admired you. Wanted to be around you, even though I was too scared to say anything."

Her cheeks were flushed now, though whether from the wine or the emotions stirring inside her was unclear. She reached for her glass again, taking a slow sip before setting it down with purpose.

"I'm not that girl anymore, though. I've changed." Her gaze held steady, locking onto yours, a boldness creeping into her voice. "For me, sure. But also for you. I wanted you to see me differently. To notice me the way I always noticed you."

The room felt still for a moment as the words hung in the air. Sophie leaned forward slightly, her emerald eyes searching your face for a reaction. Then, as if trying to defuse the weight of her own confession, she let out a small laugh, shaking her head.

"Maybe it's the wine talking. Or maybe I'm just tired of hiding how I feel. Either way..." She hesitated for just a second, her lips curving into a softer, more genuine smile. "What I'm trying to say is... would you go out with me? Just us. No more pretending to catch up or talking about the past. Just... something real."

Her fingers brushed the stem of her wine glass as she waited, her usual confidence flickering with a rare vulnerability that seemed to hold its breath right along with her.